This may answer the question right here. Can I run a mac on the same network with PC? I am going to be upgrading to 3MB DSL in a few weeks. Right now I have 3 PC's running in the house and a single dial-up connection. We are going to set up a home wireless network and ad 2 more PC's. I also want to get a good notebook to go along with the new digital camera that I am going to order in March. I was thinking about a Mac, but will it run on the same network? If so, what would be a good one for working with Photoshop and tons of huge files with the average size of about 15MB.

Can anyone give me the pros and cons of trying this and some reasonable specs for a Mac notebook for around $1000. I know absolutly nothing about how a mac works. Will there be a big learning curve involved?

 

For a $1000? That is tough.

Working with large files requires lots of RAM and hard drive space, as well as a decent video card and processor. 1k will do it but it will be slow.

They certainly can share the same network if you are just looking to share the Internet connection. To share files is a bit more complex but it will work with the right protocols and software loaded.

What made Macs great in the past was their RISC processors. They are switching to CISC now so you may not get the "better" graphical processor.

If you are staying with PCs stay away from the Celeron processor from Intel. It is a stripped down chip and can't handle heavy loads.

I've never been convinced the RISC is all that much better. Macs are nice machines I just dont prefer them.

Good luck with it.

 

If you are used to running pc's and don't have a NEED for a mac then stick with the PC. The MAC is a substantially different OS not to mention it'll cost you more.

Get yourself an AMD Turion powered notebook with a gig of RAM. Will run about $800 for a good one I believe.

Yes a MAC and PC will run together on the same network.

 

I agree make sure you dont get the AMD Duron though....its AMDs version of the Celeron.

 

Networking them isn't a problem.
Like Vader said file sharing sometimes is a PIA. No more than putting a file on CD from a PC and trying to open it on a Mac, or Vicea Versa.
Most graphic programs have setting when saving the file to save for mac or PC. Normal pictures in JPG, PNG, PDF, etc you won't have a problem.

Five years ago Macs had an advantage for graphics over PC and were the industry standard. Print shops, photolabs etc used Macs or an apple based system. But now I know Kodak photo labs switched to PC last year and I belive recenlty Millers did too. Many print shops are converting too, because the perfomance margin has shrank to undetectable, and makes them more compatable with thier customers that don't print a weekly publication. Which is ussualy about 75% of thier business. Not 75% of product printed, just 75% of income which is more important.

I have one press printer that still uses Older macs. He is ussually cheaper, but becasue I use Quark 5, it does not have the option to save for Mac. So we occasionally have conflicts. I need to upgrade to Quark 6 so that we are more compatable.

 

you can share without the Cd/thumb drive method but it is a pain.

you can setup a local ftp server or use software from ms and apple to actually make them communicate with each other.

Generally isnt worth it though. I agree with Matt/Meg I'd do the CD or the FTP method myself.

 

For a notebook... this is where I'm getting mine next spring

Area 51

Get the area 51, the cheapest one is only $100 more than the cheapest Sentia and is only $1K.

Spend more and they will build one just for graphics.
Great bonus with alienware, they do not have a problem with you installing software that you did not purchase from them. Like Dell or anyone else. Alienware will still support any conflicts you might have with that software and will not void waranty even though you didn't buy the software from them. Like everyone else. I have almost $10K in software I have already purchased. I don't want to buy all new coppies of the same software I already have just because I choose to buy a Dell and want to keep thier warranty. I'd void the warranty first and install my software. Thier box isn't worht that.

Sorry for the rant, one of my pet peaves right now as I'm looking at a new desk top and laptop both too.

 

Traditionaly in my business we use PC, I have a Mac since 2 years and I´m very satisfied with it. Now we are in the process to swich to Mac.

I can share files and internet connection without any problem, I can search files from my mac in my PC and Viceversa.

At the first I had a learning curve but almost in no time i do most of the task very easy, it take me more efort to make more unusual tings but the secret is forget all you know from PC and let the help menu of the Mac guide you. You arer going to surpraise how easy is to make any task on a mac.

Also you can forget about about viruses, troyans, malware and that kind of stuff.

The software maintenance task almost dosn´t exist and Mac osX is a very releable plataform.

A nootbook for $1000 to use large files is not to run properly. Spect to spend about twice.

On the desktp side the prices from a Mac are similar to COMPARABLE PC´s maybe a little cheaper maybe a little expensive.

Remember Mac is a very complete systems since many years ago, Mac use Firewire (the most basic mac laptop has one since 3 or more years ago)

Check ebay if you need to spend low money.

 

Really?
You found it that much different?

First Mac I worked on was a G3 with OS7. Last one was a G4 with OSX
Other than remembering apple+click for right click. (that took me 1/2 a day to get use too) other than that I didn't have any trouble.
All my keyboard shortcuts were pretty much the same in all my programs.
Apple key in place of ctrl but did all the same things as ctrl.

Anywhere PC uses Ctrl, use the Apple key on a Mac and same thing ussually happens. If it says right click on PC, then apple+click on a Mac. I am just as effecient in one as the other.

PC has a wider array of software available, the only one that I know of that is Mac specific, not available for PC, and I miss is Multi-ad Creator. Excellent pre press graphic lay out software.

 

I own a 12" Apple iBook G4 laptop with OS X Tiger.

$999...

It comes with...
Make sure! you get OS X. Anything less than OS X is more complex/difficult; OS X is a breeze! It's so cute too, the graphics and the icons, etc. The 14" will cost you a little bit more ($1299) and has a bit more space:

Apple Website

The application iPhoto is good to use as digital camera software... I have a Casio Powershot S410 digital camera in which I installed the software CD for it. It works good no problems.

I suggest downloading Stuffit Expander for your new Mac so you can open up different kinds of files...

Downloading Windows Media Player for Mac will allow you to view .wmv files...Quicktime is built-in.


There is hardly anything available for pre-OS X... most everything you can find is up to date for Mac.

The 12" notebook comes with a cd burner, which is done through iTunes... You can tweak your settings to allow the burning of MP3 files too. The 14" allows for audio burning as well as DVD burning...

The iBook comes with the application called iChat. It's for use on AIM or ICQ but a zillion times better! It allows you, when you add people to your computer's Address Book, to insert their screen name. On iChat, the person's actual name will appear instead of their screen name. I like it a whole lot better than regular AIM... has little 'voice bubbles' to make it look like people are actually 'talking.' There's also a tiny little microphone in the upper right hand corner on the edge of the screen, so you are able to establish audio chats with other users. You can even hook up a web cam to have "live" chat feeds with others users on iChat.

You get a free 30 day trial of Microsoft Office (Power Point, Word, etc). It costs a few hundred bucks to buy it though. It DOES come with Apple Works 6 though, which is 'okay.' I haven't had it freeze up on me like it used to on OS 9. So Apple Works is workable. Gives you Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Drawing, and Presentation.

As for wireless DSL internet, the iBook comes wireless ready, called AirPort. You can create a network with your wireless modem and you are seriously ready to go! Don't even bother with dial-up or even regular DSL...go wireless. It will save you a TON of hassle.

There's 2 USB ports on the side, one phone jack port, one ethernet port, and I think a few more I'm not that familiar with.

It's sleek, clean and satisfying. PC's don't have such colorful personalities as compared to Macs.

 

Referring to a computer as "cute." What's the world coming to?

 

Just get a PC, cuz Bill Gates says so!!!

Kidding aside, I prefer PCs to Macs. You cant (easily/cheaply) upgrade a Mac...there's less software available (esp when it comes to games)...and if you're really that worried about a virus or anything like that, USE LINUX :P
I have NEVER had a virus on my PC, in the years that Ive been using it. Get a decent virus scanner (heck, I use a FREE one), update it regularly, run it often, you should not have any problems. And of course, use some common sense when opening email.

 

Well it didn't take much to convince me to stick with a PC. As long as I stay away from as many Microsoft products as possible I shouldn't need to worry as much about adware, spyware, and viruses. The wife decided that she wants her new one to be a notebook as well so maybe I will just get her a reasonably good notebook and just take that if I go out on a major shoot, and just buy myself a good powerful desktop to do most all of the workflow.

Start the recommendations please. Try not to get too technical or I will get confused.

 

I beg to differ.





What you see for ports in the above image
DVI Port
Parallel Port
Ethernet Port
Modem Port
AC Adaptor Plug-In
S-Video Port




4 USB Ports
2 IEEE 1394 FireWire Port (4-pin)
Audio Ports
Built in 7-in-1 Memory Card Reader
S-Video Port
PCMCIA Slot

That's just on the left side.

Monitor features built in microphone and camera for both audio and video online chatting.

The only thing to know is that 5 years from now.. Mac, dell, and everybody else will just be starting to think about building one to compete. This beast will be running with the big dogs for a long long time before she is considered out dated.

Outside of a virtual intelegance. How much more of colorful personality can you ask for? LOL

 

And how much does that beast cost? I may be in the market for another laptop myself soon, for work to run Ford's latest and greatest diagnostic software.